hopkins



(NdModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. E. HOPKINS. MACHINE FOR SAWING STBRBOTYPE PLATES.

No. 432,407. Patented July 15, 1890.

& e

ga lium? lily" IIIIIIILI (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. 0. E. HOPKINS. MACHINE FOR SAWING STBREOTYPE PLATES. No. 432,407. Patented July 15, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS, OF \VILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES V. SVVEELY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR SAWING STEREOTYPE-PLATESa SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,407, dated July 15, 1890.

Application filed January 24, 1889. Renewed June 13, 1890. Serial No. 355,272. (No model.)

ing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invent-ion relates to an improved device for separating stereotype-plates into suitable sections to be set up in the forms for printing. Heretofore said plates have been separated by sawing transversely across and down through the plate from the type-face thereof between two parallel lines of type, the plate being held in a miter-box, by which the saw is guided. This method has been found objectionable for the reason that the saw-teeth are apt to injure the edges of the face of the type, especially where the space between the lines of the type is narrow.

It is the object of my invention to obviate these objections; and to this end my invention consists in a device by means of which the plate may be supported and accurately adjusted and partly sawed through from the back on a line with the space between two transverse parallel'rows of type and afterward separated on such line, as more fully hereinafter specified. v

The above-mentioned object I attain by. the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved device. Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical sectional-view thereof. Fig. 3 represents a detached perspective view of a vertically-movable gagebar, forming part of my improved device. Fig. 4 represents a plan View showing a modification of my device, and Fig. 5 represents a vertical sectional view of the device.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates a vertical standard, which is preferably formed in two parts A A the bases of which are secured in any suitable manner to a horizontal support B. The said parts are provided with horizontal platforms O C, which are flanged at opposite edges, as indicated by the letters 0 c, the said platforms lying in the same horizontal plane and forming a horizontal support and longitudinal guide forthestereotype-plates,wh en the standards are secured to their table or support in proper position. One of the standards in the face adjoining the oppositest-andard is provided with two vertical ways D, in which are arranged to slide, vertically, the guide-bars E, which are provided with rectangular re cesses F near their lower ends, for the purpose hereinafter explained. The adjoinin faces of the two standards, near, their lower ends, abut, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings; but above said abutting faces a space is left between the standards in which the saw G may be reciprocated, the faces of the standards at the separated portions being recessed, as indicated by the letter (Z, to form guides for the back H of the saw, which consists of a rect-' angular bar, to which the blade is secured, as shown. The upper serrated edge of the saw is arranged to work between the upper adjacent faces of the standards, which form a guide for the blade, so as to cause it to work accurately across the back of the plate to be separated. The flanges c of the platforms O and O rise toward their adjacent faces, forming standards 6 6, between which is pivoted one end of a curved arm K, which is provided with a dependent projection or arm L, to the lower end of which is pivoted a slotted lug m on a pressure-plate N, the lower face of which is adapted to bear upon the typeface of the stereotype-plate, to hold it to the platform while the plate is being sawed from below. The said pressure-plate is provided with lugs or ears P at opposite ends, which rest upon. the upper ends of the guidebars E above mentioned, and so gage the saw as to prevent the teeth thereof from cutting entirely through the stereotype-plate, as more fully hereinafter explained. The recesses in the guide-bars are so located with respect to the back of the saw that the upper ends of said gage-bars always project beyond the serrated edge of the saw-blade, and by bearing against the under side of the pressure-plate prevent the saw from working through to the face of said stereotype-plate and injuring the type thereon.

To the projecting ends of the back H of the saw are pivoted the ends of a saw-carrying frame 1%, which passes through slots S in the lateral lugs '1, projecting from the standards A A, before mentioned. Between the said lugs and surrounding a portion of the longitudinal part of the saw-frame is located a spi ral spring U, having bearings at its ends against the inner sides of the respective standards. The saw-frame at suitable points is provided with pins V, which strike alternately against the opposite ends of the spring at the end of each stroke of the frame to give the frame a yielding impact at each stroke, the spring serving as a buffer to prevent injury to the parts of the device.

The letter \V indicates an arm projecting from one end of the saw-frame, to which is secured a vertical handle, by means of which the saw may be manipulated.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the 10nd gitudinal portion of the saw-frame passes through suitable guide openings in the lat-: eral lugs, and the said frame is provided with. bufler-spriugs X near each end for relieving the shock of impact at each stroke of the 1 frame.

hand of the operator.

the plate until the ends of the guide-bars abut against the lugs on the pressure-plate, limiting the further upward movement of the saw. The plate thus partially cut through may then be easily separated atthe line of the saw-cut,

either by breaking the parts asunder or cutting them with a suitable instrument, without any possible injury or defacement of the type.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination, in a device for dividing and separating stereotype-plates into sections, of a reciprocating saw, a vertical guide for said reciprocating saw, a horizontal table or platform above the same whereon the plate may be adjusted, and a pressure-plate whereby the stereotype-plate may be held to the action of the saw, so as to be cut transversely from the back thereof, substantially as specilied.

2. The combination, with the reciprocating saw and vertical standard having verticalj from the back thereof, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, with the vertical standards and the flanged horizontal tables,of the guide-bars recessed near their lower ends, the saw-blade and its back, the saw-frame pi voted to the projecting ends thereof and provided with a handle whereby the saw may be manipulated, substantially as specified:

4. The combination, with the vertical standard, a reciprocating saw, and a saw-frame arranged to move in bearings in the vertical standard, of the butter-spring surrounding the longitudinal portion of the saw-frame, sub stantially as specified.

5. The combination, with the guide-standard, of the saw reciprocating in ways therein, the saw-frame pivoted to the back of said saw, the slotted lateral projections cxtendin g from the standard, and the intermediate coiled spring surrounding the longitudinal portion of the frame to receive the impact thereof, substantially as specified.

(J. In a machine for cutting stereotypeplates, the combination of a table, a reciprocating saw working below said table, the saw being capable of a vertical movement and adapted to pass up through an opening in the table, and a pressure-plate arranged above the table, as and for the purpose described.

7. In a machine for sawing stereotypeplates, the combination of a flanged table, a reciprocating saw working below and capable of a vertical movemeu t, a press ure-plate above the table, a pressure-arm K, pivoted upon the said table, this arm being pivotally connected to the said pressure-plate, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for separating stereotypeplates, the combination of a supporting-table, a longitudinallyand vertically guided reciprocating saw, and guide-bars for limiting the movement of the said bar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signatu re in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

E. M. SWEELY, DAVID G. STARK. 

